Referendum petition gets huge turnout
By Lethbridge Herald on August 20, 2025.
Joe Manio
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Should we stay or should we go? That is the question – well, officially the question is “Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?”
The Alberta Forever Canada citizen initiative started gathering petition signatures in Lethbridge this week to find those who’s answer is “yes.”
Volunteer canvassers will be staffing tables at various locations in town, and then going door-to-door this week and through to the third week of October.Â
The Forever Canadian campaign is an effort put forward by former Progressive Conservative (PC) deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk, who officially filed the citizen initiative on June 5. Lukaszuk needs to collect nearly 300,000 signatures in 90 days in order to get his question on a ballot.
On the first official day of the drive in Lethbridge, hundreds of people braved the hot summer sun to stand in line to sign the petition outside Casa. The lines stretched in multiple directions, nearly the entire length of 8 Street South between 2 and 3 Avenues, and wrapped around the sides of the Casa building through Rotary Square.
“We could not have anticipated the size of the crowd or the positivity of people waiting to sign,” said team lead Dawn Vickers. “Many Albertans arrived just to sign our petition, waiting patiently and joyfully to add their signature. It has become clear that this is an extraordinary movement of Albertans who support remaining in Canada.”
Over the course of less than two hours Monday evening, canvassers collected an estimated 2,000 signatures.Â
During a quiet soft-launch during Casa’s Upside Downtown performance Thursday,Â
volunteers collected 263 signatures in just over two hours.
“I am proud to be a Canadian, having lived, worked and studied in three provinces,” said Vickers. “Alberta has now been my home for 35 years of those years and I chose to retire here. I joined the campaign because I’ve been watching the separatists movement and am deeply concerned that a vocal, and heavily funded, minority is spreading misinformation to suggest Alberta would be better off separating.”
Separatists are trying to launch their own referendum question petition. Executive director of the Alberta Prosperity Project, Mitch Sylvestre, wants to ask Albertans: “Do you agree that the province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province in Canada?”
That question and petition drive are on hold, however, awaiting judicial review on the constitutionality of Alberta separating from the rest of Canada.
Last week a judge in Edmonton denied an application to quash a review of Syllvestre’s referendum question on separation. Court of King’s Bench Justice Colin Feasby said it will benefit democracy to have a full hearing on the constitutionality of the question.
Meanwhile, the anti-separation camp continues collecting signatures in Lethbridge and across Alberta.Â
“Separating would severely impact our most vulnerable citizens, including children, seniors and persons with disabilities, and would be of benefit to only the wealthiest among us. It would destabilize our economy and border security,” said Vickers. “Staying in Canada means we will continue to benefit from the quality of life that continually ranks us in the top six countries globally.”
All petitions must be signed in person by registered voters. Canvassers are registered with Elections Alberta, and will be carrying Elections Alberta Identification badges.
Vickers said the campaign is beginning by capitalizing on community events occurring at the end of summer including those held during Whoop-Up days. Simultaneously, canvassers have been holding small social signings and connecting with friends.
“In September, we’ll roll out into neighbourhood (sidewalk) events, advertising on neighbourhood social media. Throughout the campaign, our canvassers will carry out door knocking to give those who have difficulty getting to us a chance to sign.Â
“Businesses can also host us for a day and encourage their staff and patrons to sign. We would love to have a permanent location with regular hours and are looking for a partner willing to donate a space, even on a part time basis, until the end of October.”Â
All petition sheets must be submitted to Elections Alberta by Oct. 28.
Upcoming events will be posted on various social media, including Forever Canadian Facebook and https://www.forever-canadian.ca/sign-the-petition.
23-22
I arrived at CASA 15 min early to beat the rush but at least a couple hundred had the same idea. Stood in one of four growing lines for about 90 minutes before voting. The lines had increased in length and wrapped around the building. On the drive home to the west side I decided to avoid the lengthy lineup on Whoop Up and took Hwy 3. Well 2 semis had collided on the bridge over the Oldman blocking westbound traffic to one lane. After a slow crawl I was home after another 2 hours. Kind of made me wish we had that third bridge but that’s another issue.